U.S. returns 2 Saudi nationals from Guantanamo Bay prison facility

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The United States returned two cleared detainees at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Saudi Arabia during the weekend, U.S. officials said.

The men were identified as Saad Muhammed Husayn Qahtani, 35, and Hamood Abdulla Hamood, 48, who returned as Saudi nationals, the Miami Herald reported Monday.

Neither had ever been charged with a crime, the U.S. government said. They were among the last 11 Saudi citizens at the prison.

The transfers reduced the prison camps population to 160 detainees.

Government sources told the Herald the Saudi repatriations during the weekend were voluntary and that a federal task force determined the men were eligible for transfer, "subject to appropriate security measures."

"The United States coordinated with the government of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure that these transfers took place with appropriate security assurances and in a way that is consistent with our humane treatment policy," Paul Lewis, the Defense Department's special envoy for the detention facility's closure, said in a statement.

Separately Sudan's news agency reported the last two Sudanese captives at the Guantanamo prison facility should be repatriated later this week, the Herald said.

Meanwhile, the Herald said, the five men accused of plotting the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States were expected back at the facility's war court Tuesday.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.